Registering device.



G. A. LONG.

REGISTERING DEVICE.

APPLICATlON FILED FEB. 24, 1915.

Patented Nov. 19, 1918.

3 SHEETSSHEET 1- I rlvemur G. A. LONG.

REGISTERING DEVICE.

APPLICATION HLED FEB. 24. I916- Patented Nov. 19, 1918;;

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

G A. LONG.

REGISTERING DEVI'CE.

APPLICATION man FEB. 24, me.

Patented Nov. 19, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

nvEnfar 1 LA] UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE A. LONG, F HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE GRAY TELEPHONEPAY STATION COMPANY, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CON-NECTICUT.

REGISTERHN'G DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 19, 1918.

. Application filed February 24. 1916. Serial No. 89.169.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnonon A. Lo'1-ic, a citizen of the United States,residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inRegistering Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to registering devices. While a registeringdevice involving the invention is probably susceptible of general use,it is of especial utility when employed in conjunction with a telephone,being used in this particular field for register- I ing the callstransmitted from a subscribers station. The primary purpose of theinvention is the provision of an article of the character set forth bywhich accurate and precise registration of calls is insured, by a simpleand effective construction.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of. the presentspecification I have shown in detail one convenient form of embodimentof the invention which will be set forth fully in the followingdescription. I do not restrict myself to th1s particular disclosure; Imay depart therefrom in several respects within the scope of theinvention defined by the claims following said description.

Referring to said drawings:

Figure 1 1s a vertical sectional view on the line 11 of Fig. 2, lookingin the direction of the arrows, and as will be evident as viewed fromthe front and toward the rear of the appliance.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, also looking inthe direction of the arrows or toward the left in said Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional top plan view, taken approximately onthe line 38 of Fig. 2.

Fig. l is a top plan view, and

Fig. 5 a side elevation of the plunger, counter, trip device and certainadjunctive devices hereinafter more particularly described and arrangedin cooperative relation with each other.

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the magnet, its armature, a part of thecounter and certain adjunctive elements.

Fig. 7 is a front view of the line switch, the trip and lever andcertain other parts.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the controlling member for the counter, apart of the operating device for the counter, said part being shown inseveral positions by dot-ted lines.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the trip and lever, the latter in section,a controlling cam and lifting device for the trip device, the liftingdevice being partly shown and in several of its positions by full anddotted lines respectively.

Like characters refer to like parts throughout the several views, Figs.l to 9 inclusive being on a much larger scale than Figs. 1 to 3inclusive.

Certain of the parts are suitably housed, and for this purpose a casingsuch as that denoted in a general way by 2 may be provided. Asrepresented the casing consists of a back or base plate 3 (Figs. 1,2 and3) and a cover as l suitably associated with each other, the cover afterthe fashion common in registers being normally closed under lock andkey. This, however, is a detail.

The appliance preferably comprises in its make-up a magnet by whichcertain of the parts are operated as will hereinafter more particularlyappear, and the electromagnet 5 of polarized type answers satisfactorilyin this connection, being as shown sustained by hearing means in theform of a bracket 6, for instance projecting from the back or base plate3. The armature for the magnet is denoted in a general way by 7, beingheld in its neutral position by springs as S or otherwise when themagnet is deenergized. By sending current of different polaritiesthrough the magnet, the armature T can be tilted or swung oppositelyfrom its neutral position practically in the manner shown in LettersPatent No. 9lT,Tl2 granted to me April 6. 1909 for telephone paystations. and to which reference may be had.

To count the calls of a subscriber a suitable register or counter isprovided. that dcnoted in a general way by 9 (Figs. 1. Q and 3 forexample) answering satisfactorily in this connection, the register beingsupported by an arm as 10 projecting forward from the back or base 3 andthe cover 4 having a sight opening 11 by which the subscriber can readthe numbers of the register. lVhile the actual operation of the registeris accomplished by the subscriber, the action of the former is under thecontrol of central oiiicc as will heroin-after more particularly appear.

so that the registeris not necessaril ope ated on each advance 01manually operable member of whatever nature it may be. manually operablemember such as the plan-- ger 12 answers satisfactorily in this particular. said plunger having: at its forward end a button 13 projectingthrough a perforation in the front of cover o as to be accessible at alltimes to the subscriber.

=On the advance of the plunger by a subscriber. the register as willhereinafter ap pear, is actuated one step. prorided cond tions be suchas to warrant such procedure. The frame member ll rises from the bracket6 and it is perforated at its head or upper end to receive the shankportion or the plunger 12. is illustrated the frame member 1% has aninwardly ertending' portion 15 provided with a pendant piece 16 alsoperilorated to slidingly receive the shanlr of the plunger. Surroundingsaid shank is a coiled spring 17 (see Figs. l and 5 for instance), oneend of which bears against the pendant portion 16 and the other end orwhich is connected with the plunger, the spring normally yieldinglyholding the plunger in its retracted position as shown in Fig.2 and byfull lines for illustration in Figs. l and @n the advance ofthe plungerby the subscriber, the spring 17 will be compressed, and when theplunger is freed. the spring will return the plunger to its initialposition. This plunger it might be noted causes in addition to theaction or the register 9 the operation or a line switch by which as willbe clear central office is apprised of the fact that the subscriberdesires a telephonic connection. The line switch (see ig. 7 for example)is denoted in a general way by 18 and it is controlled in the presentcase by a lever as 19 of practically elbow forin pivoted at its angleupon the frame of the magnet. This lever 19 as shown by full lines insaid Fig. 'i' normally holds the line switch 18 in open position. thisrelation being maintained by a trip (as it is known) or latch 20 alsopivoted between its ends on the frame or the magnet. in the present caseby lifting the inner or short arm of the trip or latch 20 the long andweighted arm of the elbow or angle lever 19 is permitted to drop so thatthe contacts or the line switch 18 can engage to indicate to centralotlice that the subscriber wishes to make a call. This is a constructionthat in itself is somewhat common in the art of telephon and it is oneof many that answers in requirements. Being itseli not new with me butquite familiar. it has been but bllEfi) described. the present case thetrip or latch 20 is opera ed to efiect the release of the lever 19through the action of the plunger 12 when adranced the subscriber. andwhen the plunger made the requisite forward or adrino'i'enient, the lineswitch will be closed.

tnus flashing a lamp on the board of the telephone operator.

The plunger 12 has at its rear end the rearward projecting part 21preferably resilient as will hereinafter more particu larly appear andwhich projects beyond the pendant portion 16 to which l have alreadyalluded, (Figs. -land 5). The rear end of this resilient part 21 has thelateral projections 22 and 2-5. the structure being practically ofT-forni in plan. The lateral projection in the present case constitutesan operating means for the trip or latch 20. being adapted to lift thetail portion of the said trip or latch to tree the same from the lever19." so that the long arm of the latter can drop to permit the closingof the line switch 18 in the manner already described. The pendantportion 16 is provided with a rearward extension 24: practically ofbowed form and which terminates in the lined carn part 25 (Figs. l. 5and 9 -for instance) and which fixed cain part presents a mechanicalswitch for insuring the requisite movement of the plunger 12 and foralso prerentingwrongful backward or unintentional retractive movementthereof. This cani piece or switch member 25 stands in the present caseat an upward inclination, having on its upper beveled surface 26 thecompanion teeth 27. the function of which will be hereinafter explained.The under or inner surface of the care or switchingelement 25 is of camshape as denoted by 28. the front or forward ends of the straight ortooth face 26 and cam face 28 being joined by the straight face 29 asshown best in Fig. 9. When the plunger is in its retracted position. theresilient rear end thereof will be separated from the cam or switchelement 25 which it should be observed. is in the path of the projection22. As the plunger 12- is advanced by the sub scriber theprojection 22will engage and will then ride up and alongthe inclined face 26 or thecoin or switch element 25. thus correspondingly elevating theprojecwhich is normally under but is separated from the tail portion orthe trip or latch 20. As the advance inotion continues he projection 22and hence the projection 23 will be further elevated, so that the tailhe trip or latch 20 is gradually lifted. the trip or latch being whollytripped by rising projection just about the time e projection 22 gets tothe crown or high c o1 the cam or switch element at ich point theregister 9 will, it retuiired. have been operated. As the projection 22is elevated in the manner described on the ance of the plunger 12. itsuccessirel teeth 2?. engaging and passingtooth before the register isof which it is imperaadvance of the plunger 12 be made before it can bedrawn back. Vhen the projection 22 passes from off the apex of the camor switch element 25, the spring 17 becomes effective for retracting theplunger 12-at which point the projection 22 is caused to traverse thecam or guide surface 28 of the cam and to finally assume its initialposition. In Fig. 9 I have illustrated on a comparatively large scale byfull and dotted lines the action just described.

The latch or trip 20 when operated to release the switch controllinglever 19 remains in such tripped relation until it is restored by thecentral office operator, and this is accomplished by sending current ofeither polarity through the electromagnet 5. Upon the tilting of thearmature and the release of the arm 19, the latch 20 will be returned bygravity to its normal position, as shown by full lines in Fig; 9, ithaving for this purpose a preponderance of weight in its longer arm. Asthe trip returns to itsprimary position it engages and then lifts thelong or weighted arms of the lever 19 upholding said arm when said tripis in its normal position. This condition is maintained until the tripor latch 20 is swung from under the long or weighted arm of the lever.It will be clear that when the lever 19 is returned to its initialposition as shown by full lines in Fig. 7, the resilient contacts of theline switch 18 will automatically separate so as to open the hue.

The register or counter 9 has connected with it the ratchetwheel 30. Onthe first step of its ratchet wheel 30 constituting a convenient meansfor operating the register, the units wheel of the register is advanced.one step, etc., as is common in articles of this nature. The plunger 12in the casing or housing 2 is shown equipped with 2. lateral extension31 provided at or near its free end with an inwardly projectingresilient arm 32, the extension 31 between the plunger and the arm 32being furnished with a guide pin 33 (Fig. 4) extending through aperforation in. the upper portion of the frame member 14. The free endof the resilient arm is shown furnished with a stud or pawl 34cooperative with the ratchet wheel 30 as will hereinafter moreparticularly appear. The resilient arm 32 with its ratchet operatingstud or pawl 34 constitutes a. suitable actuator for the register orcounter 9. The resilient arm 32 is shown (Fig. 5 for example) with adepending projection 35, the function of which will be hereinafterexplained. The inwardly extending portion of the frame member 15 isprovided with a short rearward extension 36 from which the support 37projects sidewise (see for instance Figs. 6 and 8). This support has atits outer end the downturned flange 38 parallel to the portion or flange36.

On the upper surface of the support or carrier 37 a suitable registercontrolling memher is mounted for back and forth movement the block 39answering satisfactorily in this particular. The block 39 has adepending stud 40 from which the shaft 41 extends shown in Figs. 6 and8. The block .39 in I the present case fits flatwise against the upperflat surface of the support or carrier 37.-

Extending from the stud 40 is a detent 43 which is adapted to preventaccidental movement of the ratchet 30 when the block 39 is in a positionto prevent the awl 34 from operating said ratchet. The lock 39 has thefaces 44 and 45 in parallelism with each other and the connecting faces46 and 47 also in parallelism with each other. The faces 44 and 45 areapproximately in parallelism with the line of motion of the plunger 12,the faces 46 and 47 however, being at an angle to said line. As a matterof fact the block 39 which presents a second meclllianical switch ispractically of diamond s ape.

Initially the block 39 will be in the position it is shown as occupyingin full lines in Fig. 8. It will be assumed that the plunger 12 is inits primary or retracted position as shown for example in full lines inFigs. 4 and 5 and that the subscriber desires a call. In this event hewill push the plunger in, the resilient arm 32 being of course movedtherewith and the depending projection or tooth, which normally occupiesthe full line position in Fig. 8 being carried therewith. When theprojection or tooth 35 strikes the guide face 46 it rides therealong,thus defleeting the projection or tooth 35 laterally and causing theresilient arm 32 to swing outward carrying the pawl 34 into engagementwith the ratchet wheel 30, this occurring just about the time theprojection 35 passes from the face 46 and enters the face 45. Theplunger is continued farther inwardly or rearwardly, the projection ortooth 35 riding along the face 45, and the pawl 34 engaging the ratchetwheel as the pro ection 35 enters the face 45 the pawl will turn theratchet wheel one step or a distance agreeing with the length of onetooth of the ratchet wheel, the step rotation of the ratchet wheel beingconcluded just about the time the projection 35 passes from off the face45, the lever 19 in the meantime having been released. As a matter offact the release of the lever 19 by the tripping of the trip or latch 20occurs practically when a registration is efiected. 'hen a count is thusmade the projection 35 engages the entering end of the face 47 at whichpoint the. projection 22 will have entered the cam l cc :28 indicatingvirtually the completion of the advance movement of the plunger. lit theplunger. therefore, be freed, the spring 11' will return the plunger toits initial position in the manner alreadv described. As the plunger isthus moved backward. th 1 the bevel surface l? vvill impart an outwardmovement bodily to the block 39, "thus moving said block from the fullline position F S to the dotted line position thereof. it will be notedthat when the block occupies said dotted line position, it is in thepath movement of the projection 35. so that, on the next forward oradvance movement of the plunger. said projection will not strilre theblock 39, and in this event the register or counter 9 will not beoperated. The rectangular dotted lines in Fig. 8 indicate the orbital orcircuitous movement of the projection lt vrill be clear that it theblock 39 he in the path of the projection 35 the latter will bedeflected outwardly so as to cause the pawl 3% to efiectthe feed of theratchet wheel 30 in the manner already de scribed. This block 39 isunder the control of the central oilice operator, the magnet 5 beingprovided with means by which the block 39 can be operated. Asrepresented the armature Z is provided with means such a? the pin -8 formoving the block 39 from a position WllQIB it Will block or prevent thepaivl 3i from operating the ratchet Wheel as shown by dotted lines in Sto a position Where it Will permit said pawl to operate said ratchet asillustrated by full lines in said view. in the present case the pin l8cooperates with the stud l0. While either coil of the magnet 5 might beutilized for effecting the action of the armature '7 and therefore ofthe block 39 that on the rightin Fig. 6 is utilized for this purpose. llhen current of the proper polarity is sent through the coil in question,the armature 7 is moved from the full line position in said l ig. 6 tothe dotted line position, the pin--l8 at the loft of the center ofoscillation oi the armature engaging the depending stud and therebysliding said block 39 to the right in said Fig. 6 or from the dottedline position of ig. 8 to the full line position ther mat Wlllle asalready observed. the counter 9 is actually operated by the subcriber.this particular action is controlled from the central ofiice.

The block 39 or its equivalent has. as ma;

' be interred. operative and inoperative positions. being adapted whenin the operative position shown for instance by dotted lines in 8.. toprevent positivel the action of the register. and when in theinoperative position 1 shown "o full l vieiv, permit the operation ofp.'ojection by riding along .s occupying their initial positions by fulllines, and this applies as will be understood to the block 39 in Fig. 8,because When the register is installed the block is actually in the fullline position. (in the return movement of the plunger 12 in the mannerindicated, the projection 35 vvill move the block from the full line tothe dotted line position, so that on the next advance of the plunger,the block 39 will be outof the path of the projection. It will beassumed that the plunger has been advanced a second time, and that theline switch 18 has been closed in the manner settorth. This willindicate to the central ofice operator that the subscriber desires acall. If he gets. his party she will send current of the necessarypolarity through the magnet 5 to etl'ect the movement of the armature '7from the dotted line position in Fig. 6 to the full line position insaid view to thus cause the movement of the block 39 in the manneralread described from the dotted line position to the full line positionin said Fig. 8, so that on the third advance of the plunger 12, theplunger will effect the action of the counter 9. It the central olliceoperator fails to get the part}; called for bythe subscriber. she willleave the block 39 in the dotted line position, so that as the plunger12 is advanced, it avill not efiect the action of the register.

While it is believed that the construction and action of theappurtenance and the motives and ends in view are perfectly obvious,still it is probably desirable to call attention to certain matters.While the subscriber actually effects the operation ofthe re uster or asit is known in the art counter this is under the control of the centraloilice operator. It will, of course. be understood that when taeblocking member 39 is in the full line position in Fig. 8, the detent i3is not in engagement with the ratchet Wheel 30, so that ii at. this timethe plunger 12 be advanced from the full line position in Fig. l. to thedotted line position in said view, the projection 35 on the spring arm32 which moves with the plunger will after the plunger has moved a shortdistance, engage the face l3 or" the blocking device 39, thus moving thespring arm laterallj as shown by dotted lines in Fig. i so that the pawl31: vcill be moved between two adjacent teeth of the ratchet Wheel 30and as the final part of the advance movement of the plunger isconcluded. result in turning the ratchet Wheel one step. it on thecontrary said blocking device 39 he in the dotted line position in saidFig. 8. the projection 35 as the plunger 12 is advanced in the mannerjust described, will pass free of said blocking device and as aconsequence the register \vt ll not be operated. lnitially or When theappliance is first installed the blocking device 39 occupies tie dottedline position in Fig.

S. It will be assumed that after installation the subscriber desires acall. In this event the plunger is advanced and the register as aconsequence is operated. 'hen the plunger has completed its advancemovement. the line switchlS is closed as already described. Thisapprises central that the subscriber desires a call. If. however. thesubscriber gets his party. the operator .will through the magnet 5 openthe line switch 18 and at the same time cause the movement of theblocking device 39 to move from the dotted line to the full lineposition in Fig. 8, so that on the second advance of the plunger theregister will be operated. If on the contrary the subscriber fails toget his party. current is sent through the magnet in such way as merelyto open the line switch but not to shift the blocking device from thedotted line to the full line position. so that in the latter event whenthe plunger is moved forward a second time no registration is ob tained.The register is. therefore, one count ahead of the subscriber, and thiscan be deducted when a statement is given the subscriber. Tbile as Ihave observed the action of the register is actually accomplished by thesubscriber. this is a permissive action under the control of the centraloifice.

\That I claim is:

.1. The combination of a register. a manually operable member, ablocking member, the manually operable member being provided with meansfor operating the register and also provided with means for moving theblocking member into position where it will prevent the action of theregister by said register operating means, and means operativeindependently of the manually operable member, for moving the blockingmember to position where it will cause the operation of the register.

2. The combination of a register, a manually operable member, a blockingmember, the manually operable member being provided with means foroperating the register and also provided with means for moving theblocking member into position where it will prevent the action of theregister by said register operating means. a magnet. and means operativeby said magnet for moving said blocking member to position where it willcause the operation of the register.

3. The combination of a register. a manuallv advanceable member. ablocking member. the manually advanceable member being provided withmeans for operating the legister on its advance movement and alsoprovided with means operative on the retractive movement of saidmanually operable member for moving said blocking member into positionwhere it will prevent the action of the register by said manuallyoperable means on the advance thereof. and means operative independentlyof the manually mg member to position to permit operation of theregister on the advance of the manually advanceable member.

I. The combination of a register. a reciprocable plunger. registeroperating means actuated by the plunger on one stroke thereof, aregister blocking device. means actuated by the plunger on the otherstroke thereof for moving said register blocking device to position toblock the action of the register, and means independent of the plungerfor moving the register blocking device t position to permit action ofthe register.

'5. The combination of a register. a manually dvanceable plunger.automatic means forretracting the plunger. means actuated by the plungerfor efiecting the operation of the register on the advance of theplunger. a blocking device, means operative by the plunger for movingthe blocking device into position where it will prevent the operation ofthe register on the advance of the plunger. and means independentof theplunger for moving the blocking device to position to permit operationof the register.

6. The combination of a register provided with a ratchet wheel. amanually advanceable plunger. automatically operative means forretracting the plunger. a resilient member provided with a pawl for saidratchet. a blocking device provided with means when said blocking deviceis in inoperative position for operating said resilient member to carrythe pawl into engagement with and to effeet the turning of the ratchetwheel. said resilient member on the backward movement of the plungerbeing adapted to act against said blocking device to move the lattertoward operative position, and means independent of the plunger formoving said blocking device to a predetermined position.

7. The combination of a register. a manually advanceable and springretractable plunger, means actuated by the plunger for effecting theoperation of the register on the advance of the plunger. a blockingdevice for preventing action of the register on the advance of theplunger when said blocking device is in operative position. meansactuated by the plunger on the re tractive movement thereof for movingthe blocking device to inoperative position. independent means formoving the blocking device to operative position. a. line switch. andmeans set in action by the plunger at -a predetermined point in themovement thereof for causing the closing operation of the line switch.

8. The combination of a manually advanceable. spring retractableplunger. a register provided with aratchet wheel. a spring arm providedwith a pa l cooperative with the ratchet wheel and connected with said yen member auiematic means for rehen in inopel said manually ucivauceablememring erm'io ins switch means actuated by the the rat vaneeable memberfor causing 11% plunger, alas?- the ulocklng ward opem'iwe 00 the lineswitch at a predetere advance 0f the manually 1e member, a magnet meansactuhe magnet for causing the opening e line switch, a register amucking demeans mumble with file plunger for e epem'tien of the registeron A (mes 0% said manually mh'anceable melzfiser file blinking deYieewhen in Qpeme positinn being aeup'ted i0 prevent the aefiion of theregister and said nmnuall v :10- ?uneeable member hm'ing means adapie l0n the refimeti-Gn fthereef 5:0 mme said blocking u *ice 0 iuopera'zhieposition, and means magnet "for moving the mperative posifien.

ii, 111 mold

